Donovan (Face-Off 3)

I smile so wide my face hurts. “Thank, Sis.”

“Anytime.” She returns the smile for a second before she exits the closet, leaving me once again to sort out my feelings. I really need to get my shit together before I get to Sydney’s apartment.

For whatever reason, I am always early. I don’t know why I can never show up at the exact time I am supposed to be somewhere, but that’s how it works out. My sister says it’s a good quality to have and that women appreciate men who are on time. Then, there’s Sydney. The woman is always late, never on time for anything. She would probably show up an hour late to her own wedding.

Sitting on her couch, I wait patiently—or maybe not so patiently—as I tap my fingers on my thigh and to the beat playing in my head. It’s a rap song I had heard on the radio before I came up to her apartment. I can’t remember the name, only the beat, which is enough to help take my mind off things. Sydney makes me so damn nervous. I have no idea what it is about this woman that has given me anxiety from the start.

Once we’re situated and start talking, I lower my guard around her and feel more comfortable as the seconds pass. But at the beginning of each encounter with Sydney, I get these butterflies in my stomach that I cannot shake. I hate that she has this effect on me. She also has another effect on me when she steps out from her bedroom, dressed like a fucking goddess.

In a long, flowy white dress that drops to the floor, sweeping around her ankles, she looks like an angel. I have had my fair share of models, but Sydney is…I don’t even know what it is specifically about her that I love so much. But she’s incredible. I suppose it’s just because she’s Sydney, an insanely beautiful mess. And I could not be more attracte

d to her.

Dark curls tumble out from the pins she used to clip her hair behind her ears. She tucks them back in place and runs her hands down the front of the dress that hugs her in all the right spots. I practically salivate over her, my dick growing hard beneath my slacks and tenting my pants. That didn’t take long.

If I want this to work between us, we have to make it to the restaurant and eat our dinner before I have my way with her. Even though I’d rather skip the meal and get right to dessert.

I stand up from the couch, hoping she doesn’t notice my erection, but she never misses a beat. She’s like a shark sniffing blood.

She glances down at my pants and smiles. “I see both of you are ready for the occasion.”

“Oh, I’m ready,” I say, strolling toward her. “You’re mine tonight. After dinner, I plan to spend the rest of the night feasting on your pussy.”

“Carter,” she says, swatting at me, her nails touching me just enough to rake along my skin before I step closer. “Don’t tease me, or we won’t even make it to wherever you are taking me.”

With her in my arms, I plant a kiss on her lips. No tongue, only a soft peck to let her know that I plan to take what she had promised tonight.

“I’m hungry so don’t even think about skipping out on our date.” Her tone has it’s usual authority as if she makes the rules, and I am merely here to follow them.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.” Grabbing the back of her head, I bring her lips to mine once more, staring into her eyes.

But I stop myself from slipping my tongue inside her mouth. Because we both know we will never leave the apartment once we kiss, and I have to do this the right way. The way Jenny had suggested I do things. My sister is never wrong, which is why I have to listen to her advice.

After Jenny had convinced me to play hockey with the kids at the rec center, I almost backed out. I was big, awkward, and far too out of shape to keep up with the boys, but Coach Tucker took me under his wing and helped me out. Between Jenny and my coach, I got my shit together. If anyone was able to shine a light on my life when I needed it most, it was that man, my savior, and the father I had always wanted. But Jenny was my constant, my rock.

She never missed a practice or game, always made sure I was clean, fed, and on time. Look at me now. Who would have predicted that the chubby kid from a small town in Michigan would end up where I am today? Definitely not me. The old me sure as hell couldn’t get a woman like Sydney, but my life changed over the years. Maybe Jenny is right about moving on. It’s time, and I want to do it with Sydney.

Holding Sydney against my chest and taking in the scent of her citrus shampoo, I gaze into her eyes. “Are you ready to see what I have planned for us?”

She nods with a smile crossing her lips. “I was born ready. Lead the way, big guy.”

Chapter 14

Sydney

After a fantastic dinner at Luciano’s, Carter drove back to my apartment with every intention of him staying the night. We both knew going into this date that it would end with sex. But this time, I want it to mean something. Carter seems different, more open with me after our short break. Maybe the time apart was all we needed for him to realize he had made a mistake.

I tried to apologize at dinner for being too forceful with him in the beginning. True to my nature, I pushed, hoping to get my way. But the only thing I ended up with was a broken heart. He sure showed me because I learned my lesson. Now, we’re headed in the right direction. I hope.

By the time I get out of his Hummer, Carter is at my side, lifting me over his shoulder, like a damn caveman. Without a word, he treks through the parking lot and into the building before ripping the keys from my hand. Within seconds of reaching the door, he shoves the key inside and kicks it open. The fire burning behind his deep brown eyes is so intense that one look goes straight between my thighs.

I already know he will be rough with me. He told me about his desires over dinner. We didn’t go into them in detail. All he said was that he likes things a certain way and that he makes the rules in the bedroom. No more games. Carter was a good sport in the beginning, but I can tell he’s done with my usual antics. This time, I need to give in to him. And I will. Because I want this to work between us.

Seeing a more forward side to Carter excites me, makes me wet in anticipation. My nipples are so hard they are popping through the thin fabric. This dress didn’t pair well with a bra, so my girls out on display more than usual tonight. Carter had trouble focusing on anything but my huge rack all through dinner, and I can’t wait for him to shove his face between them. Every time he licked his lips, I imagined all the naughty things we will do tonight.

Once Carter sets me down on the floor in my bedroom, he lifts my dress over my head, not wasting another second. We have waited so long for this moment that nervous energy dances along my skin, causing the anxiety to creep up from the back of my throat, suffocating me. I hadn’t expected to be this nervous, but everything needs to be perfect.

With my bare chest on display, the chill in the room causes bumps to dot my skin, my nipples getting even harder under Carter’s gaze. He steps closer, massaging my breasts in his hands, rolling his thumbs over the tiny buds. Leaning down to kiss me, he moves one hand to my ass and lifts me up, as if I weigh nothing.